How do I plan an Easter worship service?

Easter Sunday follows Holy Week. In an Easter worship service, the church remembers and might reenact the move from the darkness of Good Friday and the waiting of Holy Saturday into the celebration of Christ's resurrection and what Christ's death and new life means for God's people. Some churches also might consider holding an Easter vigil service, which provides an entrance late on Saturday night or early on Sunday morning to the new day and Christ's resurrection.

This is a worship service of celebration and remembrance of Christ's victory over death and our calling into that celebration. Historically, some churches have used Easter Sunday worship to celebrate baptisms because Christ's death and new life mirrors our own journey from death to new life.

In preparation for this service, it's important to note that many who do not attend church regularly will attend on Easter Sunday. This may inform worship leaders' approach to certain elements of the service.

When is Easter?

Easter is the first Sunday after the Paschal full moon, which is the first full moon on or after March 21. Easter Sunday marks the first day of Eastertide, the season of fifty days following Easter and before Pentecost. During Eastertide the church celebrates the redemption Christ secured on Easter and remembers what that means for daily living.

What colors are used for Easter?

White and gold are used in celebration.

What are the objects or symbols used for Easter?

• lilies
• flowers
• empty tomb

What are themes that could be used for Easter?

• resurrection
• new life
• creation, new creation
• fulfillment of God's promises

Bible verse ideas for Easter

Gospel resurrection accounts

Each of the four gospels gives its own account of the resurrection. Each story has its own take on the redemptive history, but each points to the mystery, wonder, celebration, and victory that we celebrate and remember on Easter Sunday.

• Matthew 28:1–10
• Mark 16:1–8
• Luke 24:1–35
• John 20:1–23

Old Testament promises

As people of the resurrection, we can read and understand the many promises of salvation and redemption found throughout the Old Testament.

• Job 19:23–29, I know that my Redeemer lives
• Psalm 49, ransom
• Psalm 93, God's rule
• Psalm 107, God redeems people and land
• Psalm 117, God's faithfulness
• Psalm 118, God's salvation
• Psalm 136, God's redemptive work in history
• Isaiah 25:6–9, God destroys death
• Isaiah 51:9–11, the ransomed of the Lord
• Isaiah 65:17–25, the new creation is promised
• Jeremiah 31:1–6, God gathers God's people
• Daniel 7:13–14, Christ is given dominion
• Zechariah 3, a vision of a redeemed future

New Testament texts for Easter

The message of the resurrection permeates and defines the New Testament. This message brings hope and shapes the people of the New Testament and us as we live into the promises God made and anticipate the time when Christ will come again.

• John 2:13–25, Jesus predicts his resurrection
• John 11:17–32, Jesus is the resurrection and the life
• Acts 10:34–43, Peter proclaims resurrection to the Gentiles
• Romans 6:1–11, dying and rising with Christ
• Romans 8, the Spirit of Christ
• 1 Corinthians 15, resurrection hope for all
• Colossians 2:6–3:4, life in Christ
• 1 Peter 1:3–12, a living hope